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Bermans Solicitors appoints two Partners as firm continues to grow
Bermans is delighted to announce the promotion of two Partners. Laura McMorland and James Whittaker will be taking on their new roles from January 2024.
Continue ReadingCourt of Appeal backs compulsory alternative dispute resolution (ADR)
Andrew Koffman
Head of Litigation
A recent Court of Appeal judgment confirmed for the first time that the court can now compel litigating parties to take part in alternative dispute resolution (ADR), such as mediation, even if the parties have not agreed to do so between themselves.
Previously it had been understood, including by the trial judge in the latest case, that the law was as set out in a 2004 Court of Appeal case (Halsey v Milton Keynes General NHS Trust). While the courts were able to encourage litigants to take part in ADR (strongly if necessary, with the right to impose costs penalties for unreasonable refusal), to compel them to do so would interfere with their basic right of access to the court to resolve disputes under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) – which incidentally also applies to businesses in this context.
Continue ReadingGuest Article: Passive Fire Protection training venture proves a game changer
About Jason McKnight
Jason McKnight
Jason McKnight is a partner and director of RECOM Solutions, a construction and project management business based in Salford Quays which operates across the north west and beyond.
Continue ReadingFee Earner Focus: Q&A with Tom Simpson (Property)
Tom Simpson
Tom Simpson (pictured), joined Bermans in 2023 and is a Partner in our Property team. We spoke to him to learn more about him and his interests and work.
Continue ReadingThe Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023
Faizan Nayyar
The government has recently introduced new laws aimed at tackling corruption, money laundering and fraud involving corporate entities. The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (the Act) received royal assent on 26 October 2023, and aims to reform the way in which economic crime is tackled and to improve the transparency over corporate organisations.
Continue ReadingProposals for Employment Law Reform
Adrian Fryer
Many of you will have heard Angela Rayner’s recent remarks in which she explained the changes that the Labour Party propose to make to employment law in the event that they win the general election next year.
The proposals are radical to say the least, and, if enacted, would completely change the employment law landscape for years to come.
Continue ReadingInsolvency Reform
Joe Thompson
In September, the government published its response to its consultation taken in 2021 on the future of insolvency regulation, setting out a package of proposed reforms that, in their own words “represent the biggest change to the way the insolvency profession is regulated in nearly 40 years and future-proof the regulatory framework as the insolvency market continues to evolve”.
Continue ReadingExtension of litigation fixed costs regime
In recent years the Government has applied a great deal of focus to the whole question of the funding of the civil litigation system and the ability of litigating parties to recover costs against opponents.
Continue ReadingWill I still get my costs back if I win: The Final Countdown to 1 October
Andrew Koffman
This is our latest update as the introduction of a “fixed costs” regime for most civil court disputes, where the disputed amount is over £10,000 up to £100,000, draws ever nearer.
The implementation date is Sunday 1 October.
Continue ReadingFlexible working bill achieves Royal Assent
Sophie Robertson
The Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Bill received its Royal Assent on 20 July 2023.
Under this legislation, employees will gain the right to make two flexible working requests in any 12-month period. This is a change from the current position, which limits flexible working requests to one in a 12-month period.
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